Chapter 49. Mejiro McQueen's Confidence
On Tuesday, the final results of the Takarazuka Kinen fan vote were officially announced. Although Shuta An did not do any promotional activities for Tokai Teio, Tokai Teio still came in first in the popularity poll, receiving 2,176,478 votes, approximately 100,000 votes ahead of second-place Mejiro McQueen.
"Undefeated Triple Crown VS Strongest!" — This was the slogan some newspapers used. Shuta An scoffed at it.
Undefeated Triple Crown, of course, referred to Tokai Teio, and the latter referred to Mejiro McQueen.
But in the young man's eyes, the owner of both titles should be Tokai Teio.
Of course, Shuta An knew why Mejiro McQueen was given the title of "Strongest"—because she successfully won the Spring Tenno Sho twice in a row.
In the eyes of some old-fashioned professionals, Tokai Teio, who did not participate in the Spring Tenno Sho, was not worthy of being called "Strongest."
"Sigh, I wonder what excuse those guys who used this slogan will find after the Takarazuka Kinen results are out."
Shuta An's fighting spirit was stirred up by these old fogeys—
When Tokai Teio learned that she was first in the popularity poll, she wasn't surprised at all. After Maya-chan relayed the news, the Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume continued to drink her honey special and play games.
"I thought Teio would have some excited reaction." Mayano Top Gun pouted, a little unhappy. "Isn't winning the popularity poll against Mejiro McQueen worth being happy about?"
"Isn't that a matter of course?" Tokai Teio retorted. "I'm a Undefeated Triple Crown, and I won a big overseas race last time. Of course, I should be first in the popularity poll."
"But many people say that Teio went to Dubai to avoid the Spring Tenno Sho."
Mayano Top Gun whispered in response.
To be honest, although Mayano Top Gun could also run long-distance races, she didn't think it was a heinous crime for her roommate not to run the Spring Tenno Sho.
"I don't understand those guys. Teio winning so beautifully overseas is much better than running a Spring Tenno Sho."
Mayano Top Gun muttered to herself.
—
On Wednesday, Tokai Teio completed her final track work before the Takarazuka Kinen.
Shuta An slightly increased Tokai Teio's intensity—this attracted much attention at the Racecourse.
Who didn't know that Sadalsuud team's Uma Musume often chose to do very low-intensity track work during the race week?
Yet, this time, Shuta An went against the norm.
After the track work, a reporter from "Twinkle" magazine, who had a good relationship with the young man, called to ask why Tokai Teio was put through intense training today.
Shuta An's reply was.
"To stimulate Tokai Teio's body and ensure she can go all out in the Takarazuka Kinen. Tokai Teio will go abroad for an expedition in the summer, so she plans to clear up any dissenting public opinion in Japan before leaving. In this Takarazuka Kinen, Tokai Teio will defeat all opponents, just like Mejiro Dober did in those two Tokyo 1600-meter turf G1 races."
After this statement was published by the reporter, it immediately caused an uproar on social media. For those who disliked Tokai Teio's choice not to participate in the Spring Tenno Sho, Shuta An's statement was clearly aimed at them.
"The Tenno Sho is named after the Emperor, it's the most important race in our Japanese Twinkle Series system. If she doesn't even go to the Spring Tenno Sho, how can Tokai Teio be called the strongest active Uma Musume?"
"The strongest active Uma Musume who avoids Mejiro McQueen (lol)"
"Sadalsuud team has won Dubai races how many times before? It has no real value."
"Is the summer expedition to make the impact of losing to Mejiro McQueen in the Takarazuka Kinen disappear quickly?"
Shuta An saw many similar comments, but he didn't take them to heart. Even for him, being attacked by some problematic individuals was not a new occurrence.
Tojo Hana, Nishizaki Ryu, and Kitahara also frequently encountered similar situations. Shuta An didn't think he was an exception in this regard.
But this was just what the young man thought.
"What do these guys know!" Tokai Teio fumed in her dormitory at Central Tracen Academy. "What do they take overseas G1 races for!"
"Maya also thinks they're going too far."
Mayano Top Gun chimed in.
"I won't lose to McQueen!"
Tokai Teio clenched her fists. Although she didn't vent her anger about the online comments on her good friend, the Undefeated Triple Crown Uma Musume's fighting spirit was burning fiercely.
"On Sunday, I'll definitely give 120% of my ability!"
Mayano Top Gun silently watched her friend, muttering to herself.
"It seems these guys have made Teio even more excited. I really feel sorry for McQueen-chan—The Hanshin 2200-meter Racecourse is a very adaptable track for Teio, but can McQueen adapt to the pace of this race? I remember Mejiro Palmer is there, Daitaku Helios also participated. Conservatively, both of them will set a middle-distance pace, which might be a bit difficult for McQueen to adapt to, but those two senpais often run a fast pace."
—
Nishizaki Ryu also noticed this problem, so he specifically asked Mejiro McQueen about Mejiro Palmer's plans.
Nishizaki Ryu thought that since they were both from the Mejiro Family, they would have talked to each other before the race.
"I don't know." Mejiro McQueen replied righteously. "We need to ensure the fairness of the race, so I haven't asked Palmer how she plans to escape this time."
"Oh, dear."
Nishizaki Ryu was quite helpless.
"Then have you considered how to deal with Mejiro Palmer in a middle-distance race? With the shorter distance, she has an even greater advantage as a front-runner."
He continued to ask.
Mejiro McQueen shook her head. "My opponent isn't Palmer, but Teio. I believe Teio also thinks I'm her only opponent."
"You two shouldn't ignore the other Uma Musume." Nishizaki Ryu grew even more helpless. "If you both focus your attention on each other, it's easy to let Mejiro Palmer set her preferred pace, and then you'll suffer in the final straight."
Mejiro McQueen blinked, a little puzzled.
"Didn't Trainer understand my words?"
"Huh?"
Nishizaki Ryu froze.
The Uma Musume who had won the Spring Tenno Sho twice sighed and explained.
"For me and Teio, all other Uma Musume in this Takarazuka Kinen will not be our obstacles. It doesn't matter how Palmer and Helios escapes, because Teio and I can easily catch up to her."
Mejiro Dober was quite self-assured, as if all of this was naturally to be expected.
Nishizaki Ryu silently watched the young lady of the Mejiro Family he trained, and in the end, he didn't say anything.
"If McQueen already has this kind of confidence, my extra worry would only be a doubt in her, wouldn't it?" he thought.